Pats have traveled this road before

Friday

Jan 17, 2014 at 10:56 PMJan 17, 2014 at 11:03 PM

A look at Sunday's game with Broncos

Steven SanchezGazette Sports Editor

So here we are New England, back in familiar territory.
The Patriots face off against the Denver Broncos Sunday for the AFC title.
A chance to punch their ticket to Super Bowl XLVIII.
It is the third consecutive year New England will be playing for the conference championship. The Patriots split their two previous games.
It won't be easy this time around either, as New England will play its first playoff road game since 2007.
That year Peyton Manning and the Colts dealt the Patriots a crushing 38-34 defeat.
I still like their chances this time around against Manning on the road.
Here is the reason why.
You see, it's been nine years since New England has last won the Super Bowl. It's been burning on the minds of, not only Bill Belichick, but Tom Brady as well.
They're the most successful head coach/quarterback combination the league has ever seen.
The pair have won a record 18 postseason games together, with Brady's 18 wins being an NFL record for quarterbacks. Now the two have played in two Super Bowls since winning three in four years, but came away emptied-handed each time.
They understand these chances are far and in between.
Not only that, they know this week's work of preparation will either make or break their season.
The drive to win another Super Bowl is there folks.
You want numbers, well, Belichick and Brady are 7-2 in the AFC title game. Brady is 10-4 against Manning in his career. Not so good numbers, Belichick is 3-2 in the postseason on the road while Brady is just 2-4 playing in Denver. Still that doesn't bother me.
One of the main reasons for my confidence is their resiliency and mental toughness this year.
The Patriots are a tough team, smart and they fight to the finish. They fought through adversity despite losing many key members of their team.
Just speaking with the guys in the locker room, you feel a sense of pride for the season they had — but to them it's not over. They are hungry for much more. I'm sure they will be tested a great deal in Denver too. But this is where heroes are born — in big games like this.
Now I've been blessed to cover two AFC Championship games at home. One great moment in 2012 and one not so great in 2013. There's something different about this squad. I can't put my finger on it but it reminds me of past Super Bowl teams.
They're a throwback from that first Super Bowl team in 2001. A lot of no-name, young players who bought into the team aspect of things. The players — you can see it — all get along and go into battle together, taking things one game at a time.
It could be no one plays bigger than the game, just a total team effort. You saw glimpses of it late in the season in the Baltimore game and so far to this point.
Rookie defensive lineman Chris Jones said it best, “The next game is the biggest for him.”
He has learned from the best teachers and paid attention to the foundation that is in place.
“Next Man up” is a phrase often used around Gillette Stadium these days.
It is now the rallying cry for these New England Patriots.